Typewriting-machine



E. GQLAUA. TYPEWRiTNG MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED ocrso. 1911;.

' Patented June 28,192L

3 SHEES-SHEET 2- /JY VIA/Fa.

E. G. LATTA.

TYPEwmTING MACHINE. AFEg'xcATloN Flu-:D ocr. 30. wis. )1,382,791 v Patented June 28, 1921. a su'eersgsvnzzr a.

UNITED STA'ILES PQEENT GFFICE.

'EMMIT Gr. LATTA, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

Application led Detocer 30, 1918.

To @Hicham/'15 muy concern Be it known that L EMMIT il'. LATTA, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county ot Gnondaga and State oi New York, have invented a new and useiul improvement in Typewritinpgldachinesl` of which the following is a speci.- iication.

This ,invention relates more particularly to improvements in portable i'ront strike, or visible writing, typewriting` machines of the character disclosed in my copending application.l Serial No, 123,l60, iiled Sept. 30, 1916, now Patent 1,331,441-1, Feby. 17, 1920. Said application discloses iront strike typewriter which is equipped with a. full size keyboard comprising a complete set of linger keys arranged as usual in banks, a full set oi? pivoted type-bars actuated thereby, a rotary paper platen on a transversely traveling carriage, and other cooperating parts such as are employed in standard makes of typewriters, but in which all oi' the operative parts of the machine are mounted on a single rigid frame and arranged to adapt the machine to be lowered from its operative position so as to occupy a very much smaller space for convenience in transportation.

The objects o1 the invention are to provide a portable typewriter of this kind with a supporting base which will hold the machine securely and rigidly in operative position under the most severe conditions ot use, and which will permit the machine to be reduced in dimensions and restored to operative condition with greater ease and speed than prior constructions; also to make the action ot the parts in reducingand restoring the machine practically automatic, the machine being moved and held in one direction by a spring, and in the other direction by gravity; also to so design and arrange the machine parts that while the type-bar segment is located so as to be a material distnnce above the top oit the desk or machine support when the machine is in use, it can be lowered to the level of the supporting' surface tor portability without interference of such parts; also to provide a base that can be suitably secured to the support, as by screws passing` through the desk top into the base, and will yet permit the machine to be lowered without removal from the support when it is not desired to transport the machine, also to provide a base that Specification of Letters etent.

Patented June 2S, 192i.

Serial No. 266,347,

is not prone to creep on the supportingsur- ;lace pnder the repeated impulses of returningv tne carriage for new lines.

,ln lthe accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of a typewritinsr machine embodying the invention.' o

llig. 2 is a side elevation showing the machine in the recumbent position to which it is moved ttor reducing' its dimensions.

Fig. Z5 is a ltragilientary side elevation or", a modification oit the connection between the main frame and the supporting` base.

Fig, is a. sectional plan view or' the inachine on line Fig'. 2.

The typewriter comprises as usual, iingjer keys il, arranged in banks or rows, prei-erably tour rows, at the lower front portion ci the machine, a paper platen B journaled to rotate on a transversely movable carriage l" at. the rear portion ci' the machine and printing instrunientalit-ies arranged between the finger keys and carriage and preferably comprising a series of type-bars C pivoted m the usual arcuate order on a curved seo'- ment C and the connections wherebv type-bars are actuated by the operatibn or' the iinpger keys. @ther parts or the ina'- chine` such for instance as the paper leed rolls D, one of the ribbon spools E, the paper ta le l?, the carriage escapenient wheel it, feed pinion g and rack bar H on the carriage meshing with the pinion for controlling the letter space movements oi the arriage, 'the driving;l sp' 'ng drum l ter the carriage, the space bar ne, the universal bar 7c, the back stop or basket i 'for the type bers. line space ieifer lli, the carriage release lever/hl and the iced rollr ase lever 'U are, however, indicated in the drawings to show their posi- 'tions and relai've arrangement in the machine and illustrate the convertibility et the machine. ill ot these parts are mounted in the rel ,tion to each other shown in the drawings and above briefly stated, on a singlo, rigid main frame which is movablv mounted on a supporting base, as hereinatter described, so that the 'r'rame is adapted to be supported stationarily in an operative inclined position, as shown in Fig. l with the rear portion oit the iframe and platen carjiage and other parts mounted thereon at an elevation above the keyboard and type-bars, and to be lowered or swung bodily downwardly to a recumbent position on the supporting base, as shown in Fig. 2 whereby the machine is materially reduced in dimensions so that it can be placed in a carrying case of the small inside vertical dimensions indicated by the broken lines a--ZJ-c-d shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The main frame preferably comprises vertical side plates and 11 of the shape shown in Fig. 2 which are rigidly connected by front and rear bars 13 and 14; and an intermediate bar 15 which supports a guide or track 16 for the platen carriage. rl"he side plates are also shown as connected by cross bars 17 and 18 which support the key action. The finger key and tybe-bar actions are preferably substantially the same as shown in my said application and the shiftable type-bar segment is similarly supported by arms 19 and 2O rigidly connected to rock shafts 21 and 22 having their ends suitably journaled in the side plates of the main frame. -The segment is shifted for upper case work by a shift lever 23 provided with a key 24 at its front end and rigidly secured at its rear end to the rock shaft 21.

Some parts of the machine, such as the ribbon and its vibrator and driving mechanism, the connection between the universal bar and carriage escapement wheel, and the retracting springs for the movable parts are omitted from the drawings as they are not necessary to an understanding` of the invention.

All of the parts mentionedare designed and arranged so that they are located substantially within the space bounded by the planes represented by the lines a--c-rl In the operative position of the machine the plane a-b inclines upwardly and rearwardly from the foremost bank of linger keys over the platen B substantially tangential thereto, and the plane c-d inclines upwardly parallel with the plane a-b from a point well in front of the center of gravity of the machine under and near the pivot ends of the lowermost type-bars and terminates at its rear end at a point about half as high as the rear end of the plane (web. The frame side plates 10 and 11 preferably terminate at their lower edges substantially in the plane C d. The lowest part of the typebar segment in its normal position extends slightly below the plane c-d, but the segment is adapted, when the machine is lowered, to move upwardly to or beyond said plane so that in the reduced condition 0f the machine all of the parts are located between said planes a-Z) and c-c. v

The machine as thus far described is substantially like that disclosed in my said application.

25 represents a base or plate preferably consisting of a casting extending from side to side of the machine and having seats for four rubber feet or cushions 26. 27 indi- Cates holes in the base for the reception of screws for securing the base on a desk orother support. rlChe main frame is hinged to the front portion of the base 25, preferably by screws 28 passing through the side plates 10 and 11 into upstanding ears 29 on the ends of the base. i

30 represents a pair of folding legs for supporting the rear end of the main frame. Preferably these legs are rigidly secured to the opposite ends of a shaft 31' which is adapted to rock in bearing lugs on ears 31a at the rear end of the base. The legs are provided at their free ends with outwardly projecting studs 32 which slidably connect the legs to the side plates of the main frame. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and fl, the studs pass through and are adapted to slide. in longitudinal slots 33 in the lower central parts of the side plates while in the modified construction shown in Fig. 3, the studs slide in open bottomed recesses 33 in the lower edges of the side plates provided at their rear ends with hooks or projections 33b whichextend under the studs when the legs are in upright supporting position to prevent the accidental lifting of the frame off of the legs. The studs are provided at their outer ends with heads or Aenlargements 34C which engage the outer faces of the side platesrand prevent the inward deflection of the free ends of the legs or the lateral'disengagement of the studs from the side' plates in the event of, an un usual strain or thrust on the machine. The legs are acted upon by a suitable spring or springs, such as springs 35 coiled about the rock shaft 31 with their opposite ends respectively attached to the shaft and bearing against the base plate 25. lf the rear end of the machine is raised from the recumbent position shown in Fig. 2, these springs will rock the shaft and swing the'legs upwardly until arrested in the upright supporting position shown in Fig. 1 by the engagement vof the studs 32 with the rear ends of the slots or recesses in the side plates, and will yieldingly retain the legs in this position. The machine is then ready for use without further attention. lV hen it is desired to lower themachine to reduce its dimensions, the forefinger of one hand is placed against the curved rear edge 36 of one of the legs and this leg and the other one which is connected therewith are thus moved forwardly until their studs 32 pass the dead center position when theweight of the machine will cause the parts to assume the recuinbent position shown in F ig. 2 and to retain that position with the lower edge parts 37 ofthe side plates resting on the supporting surface without further attention. W'hen thus lewering the Vmachine the segment will be shifted to upper case position by engagement with the supporting surface. The curved rear edges 36 of the legs are to relieve the appearance of straight lines and prevent the operator from pinching his finger when lowering the machine.

l/Vhen in position for use, the whole machine is supported by the four rubber feet the same as in machines having such feet ixed directly to the main frame. By the described construction the action of reducing the machine and restoring it to operative condition is practically automatic. IVhen raising the machine the springs 35 cause the arms to swing back past the dead center and lock in supporting position, and when lowering the machine its weight acts automatically to secure it in the lowered position. By mounting all operative parts of the typewriter on the single rigid main frame they can be adjusted with the utmost nicety and will retain their adjustment the same as in standard non-portable machines. The construction described provides a Jfront strike type-bar machine with a full set of finger keys, type-bars and other parts such as employed in standard makes of front strike typewriters and capable of doing the same class of work, and in which all operative parts of the machine are mounted on a single rigid i'ranie in such a way as to enable the reduction of the machine to the small dimensions described.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame normally extending from front to rear at an upward inclination and having a keyboard at its iront, a series of type-bars in rear of the keyboard, and a platen carriage in rear of and above the type-bars all permanently arranged on the main frame, a frame base pivotally connected at its front to the lower part et the main trame, and means mounted on the base and movable to hold the main trame in its normal position or to permit it to assume a horizontal position on the base, said means being connected to both the main frame and the base and acting to limit the movement of the base away from the main frame.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a 'frame base, a main frame adapted to rest horizontally on the base and pivotally connected to the iront thereof, a keyboard and a platen carriage mounted respectively on the iront and rear portions of the main frame, a series off Vfront strike type-bars mounted on the main frame between the keyboard and carriage, and a pivotal support for holding the rear et the main frame in an elevated operative position, or permitting it to assume a horizontal position on the base without disturbing the operative relation of the keyboard, type-bars and carriage, said support being' connected to both the main frame and the base and acting to limit the movement of the base away from the main frame.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame having a keyboard, front strike type-bars and a platen carriage arranged in operative relation thereon, a frame base having its iront pivotally connected to the main frame, and means adjustable to hold the main frame in operative position en the base and to positively lower the main frame, and at all times connecting the base to the main frame.

4. In a typewriting machine,'the combination or' a main frame having a keyboard, :trent strike type-bars, and a platen carriage arranged in operative relation thereon, a frame base having its front pivotally connected to the Vmain frame, and pivotally mounted legs connecting the rear of the base to the main frame at all times, and movable to permit the rear ci? the main frame to be raised above the baseand support it in such position.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination ot a main frame having a platen carriage, a keyboard and front strike type-bars arranged in operative relation thereon, a trame base having its front pivotally connected to the main traine, and a rock shaft mounted on one ofv said frame parts yand having legs rigid therewith connecting the rear ot the base to the main frame.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a two-part iframe, comprising a main frame having a platen carriage, a keyboard and front strike type-bars mounted in operative relation thereon, and a frame base hav-ing its iront pivotally connected to the main frame, of a rock shaft mounted on one of said irame parts, said rock shaft having rigid legs extending therefrom, and movable connections between the Jfree ends et said rigid legs and the other frame part.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame having a platen carriage, a keyboard, and front strike type-bars mounted in operative relation thereon, a frame base having its front pivotally connected to the lower part of the main frame, a rock shaft mounted on the base and having rigid legs with sliding bearings on the main frame, and stops for said legs.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a two-part trame comprising a main frame havinga platen carriage, a keyboard, and front strike type-bars mounted in operative relation thereon, and a frame base having` its front part pivotally connected to the main frame, oi' a rock shaft mounted on one et said trame parts, said rock shaft having rigid legs extending therefrom, and movable and interlocking bearings between said rigid legs and the other frame part.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a two-part frame comprising a main frame having a keyboard, a platen carllO riage, and front strike type-bars mounted in operative relation thereon, and a trame base having its front pivotally connectedto the main frame, of a rock shaft mounted on one of said trameV parts, said rock shaft having rigid legs extending therefrom, movable connections between said rigid legs and the other fra-me part, and aspring for rocking said vshaft and legs in the direction to hold the main frame in operative position.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a two-part Jframe comprising a main frame having a keyboard, a platen carriage and front strike type-bars mountedin operative relation thereon, and a frame base pivotally connected at its front portionto said main iframe, of a support for the rear portion of the main frame pivoted on one of said frame parts, movable connections between said support and the other' frame part,

, and aspring acting to move said support in the direction to hold the main frame in operative position. Y Y

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame, a trame base to which said main trame is hinged to permit the rear portion of the main frame to swing up and dowma support for the rear portion of the mam frame which connects the mam trame and base at all times and is adjustable to stationarily support the main frame and to permit the lowering of its rear end, andY a keyboard, platen carriage and type-bars all mounted in operative relation on said main frame.

12. lIn a typewriting machine, the combination with a two-part frame comprising a main fra-me and4 a iframe base to which said main trame is hinged to permit the rear portion of the main frame to swing up and down, of a support for the rearA portion of the main frame pivoted on one of said frame parts, adjustable connections between 'said support and the other frame part for stationarily supporting the main frame and permitting the lowering oit its Arear portion, and a keyboard, platen carriage and typebars all mounted in operative vrelation on said main frame. A 13. ln a typewriting machine, the combination with a two-part frame comprising a main frame and a iramebase to which said main frame is hinged to permit the rear portion oi2 the main frame to swing up and down, of a support for the rear portion of the main frame pivoted on one of said frame parts, sli dable connections between said support and the other frame part for stationarily supporting the main trame and permitting the loweringof its rear portion,l

and a key-board platen carriage and type `slidably connected to said main frame for stationarily supporting the main frame and permitting the lowering of its rear portion, and a keyboard, platen carriage and typebars all mounted in operative relation on said main frame 15. In a typewriting machine the combi-` nation of a main frame having a platen carriage, a keyboard and front strike type-bars all mounted in operative relation on said frame, a trarne base having its front end pivotally connected to the main frame, and a rock shaft mounted on said base and having legs rigid therewith and connected to said main frame to move from one to the other side of the center of gravity of the main frame, whereby the weight of the main frame and parts thereon tends to hold said legs in both an operative andan inoperative position, Y

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a main frame supporting the operative parts ofthe machine, a frame base pivotally connected to the front part of the main frame, a pivotal support connecting the rear portions of the main frame and base and arranged to be held in an inoperative position by the weight ot the machine, and a spring which tends to move the support to a position in which it supports the rear end oi" the main frame elevated.

17. ln a typewriting machine, the combination of a main trame having a platen carriage, a key-board and front strike type-bars mounted in operative relation thereon, a frame base having its front pivotally connected to the main frame, and a movable rear connection between said main :trame and said base yto permit the rear of the main traine to be raised above the base or lowered torest on the base-said movable rear connection being mounted to swing past a dead center position and being held at one side of such position by the weight of the machine, and a spring for resilientlyholdingthe connection on the other side oi' said dead center position.

Vitness my-hand this 28th day of October,

EMMIT G. LATTA. Vifitnesses z LURA B. Larra, l". G. DUTTON. 

